Howe is a fantastic manager and has done wonders at Bournemouth, it's amazing to think where they were when he took over.Although, haven't they got a silent Russian investor who has pumped money into the club more recently?

Mane wasn't in training today either, so maybe he doesn't play on Saturday, he's still got two days before we make the decision. It wouldn't surprise me if Klopp didn't take a chance and had him ready for Napoli.

^ That's about right taking into account injuries and freshness, with Keita prob the first to get sub off and the substitutions generally coming in earlier. A possibly interesting dilemma at rightback - Camacho to get a shot, or plain risky to attempt to blood in a youngster during this crucial stretch? The conservative and likely choice is Clyne.

^ That's about right taking into account injuries and freshness, with Keita prob the first to get sub off and the substitutions generally coming in earlier. A possibly interesting dilemma at rightback - Camacho to get a shot, or plain risky to attempt to blood in a youngster during this crucial stretch? The conservative and likely choice is Clyne.

And I think Origi gets another start, alongside Bobby and Mo.

Well said, Clyne is never a bad choice but he's been ill and then he's picked up a knock this week and he wasn't in training today. So it seems unlikely that he will be fit by Saturday. Klopp could go with Trent and perhaps use Clyne next week which wouldn't be ideal considering it's Napoli and United, and at the same time Trent would have played five games straight in two weeks time.

Well said, Clyne is never a bad choice but he's been ill and then he's picked up a knock this week and he wasn't in training today. So it seems unlikely that he will be fit by Saturday. Klopp could go with Trent and perhaps use Clyne next week which wouldn't be ideal considering it's Napoli and United, and at the same time Trent would have played five games straight in two weeks time.

Wasn't aware Clyne hasn't been training and out for a bit, then yep, Trent likely starts with his minutes being managed with a sub perhaps. Think we'll be okay with Fab, Milly as backups at a push.

Howe is a fantastic manager and has done wonders at Bournemouth, it's amazing to think where they were when he took over.Although, haven't they got a silent Russian investor who has pumped money into the club more recently?

Bournemouth have been cursed by ACL injuries it seems. In their first season in the top flight they had a couple of them, including one for Wilson (who then went and had another ACL rupture). Now they have lost Lewis Cook to an ACL rupture.

Bournemouth have been cursed by ACL injuries it seems. In their first season in the top flight they had a couple of them, including one for Wilson (who then went and had another ACL rupture). Now they have lost Lewis Cook to an ACL rupture.

What's equally impressive is their style of play. An open, attacking, passing game and not a parked bus in sight.

Didn't read any post after the initial one but Bournemouth aren't what people think they are this season unless you've watched them. They DO bunker in and then quickly get the ball once won back up to Fraser, Brooks or Wilson to get down the pitch as fast as possible. I noted in a thread in the general forums that I personally think Howe stumbled into this seasons tactics as it goes against the persona that I lifted from the Op.

It also makes sense though as Bournemouth every year fight relegation due to defensive mistakes from asking dross like Francis, Cook, Daniels etc etc to play out from the back. There's none of that anymore.

Anyway, we'll have most of the ball. Bournemouth will try to hit us on the counter via Wilson. Same old same old.

What's equally impressive is their style of play. An open, attacking, passing game and not a parked bus in sight.

Didn't read any post after the initial one but Bournemouth aren't what people think they are this season unless you've watched them. They DO bunker in and then quickly get the ball once won back up to Fraser, Brooks or Wilson to get down the pitch as fast as possible. I noted in a thread in the general forums that I personally think Howe stumbled into this seasons tactics as it goes against the persona that I lifted from the Op.

It also makes sense though as Bournemouth every year fight relegation due to defensive mistakes from asking dross like Francis, Cook, Daniels etc etc to play out from the back. There's none of that anymore.

Anyway, we'll have most of the ball. Bournemouth will try to hit us on the counter via Wilson. Same old same old.

This is spot on.

I believe it has a lot to do with Bournemouth's history of making bad starts to the season that Howe decided to adopt this approach. I think it works well for them against teams that are around them on the table, however against better sides like Utd and Arsenal they don't seem to have the personnel and organisation to really make the low block work effectively to limit chances.

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As of 21 May 2019, Liverpool will be Premier League champions and the UK will become uninhabitable for anyone who doesn't support them - David Squires

I have a great deal of respect for Bournemouth but we should win this. We've got the ability to do it and of course, Bournemouth are a dangerous team with some quality players and a quality coach but this is a huge chance to continue to mount the pressure on City given they're playing Chelsea away. Come on you Redmen!

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Quote from: Dion Fanning

The chants for Kenny Dalglish that were heard again on Wednesday do not necessarily mean that the fans see him as the saviour. This is not Newcastle, longing for the return of Kevin Keegan. Simply, Dalglish represents everything Hodgson is not and, in fairness, everything Hodgson could or would not hope to be.

Howe is a fantastic manager and has done wonders at Bournemouth, it's amazing to think where they were when he took over.Although, haven't they got a silent Russian investor who has pumped money into the club more recently?

It also makes sense though as Bournemouth every year fight relegation due to defensive mistakes from asking dross like Francis, Cook, Daniels etc etc to play out from the back.

They finished 9th in 2016/17 and 12th in 2017/18. Their only relegation fight was their first PL season in 2015/16.

As for the 'dross' you refer to - those 3 players were ever-present throughout their 3 promotion seasons, helping the team get from League Two to 7th place in the PL. They've formed the backbone of a defence in a side that has finished 9th and 12th in the last 2 seasons, individually costing less than Mo Salah earns in a week.

Perspective.

« Last Edit: December 7, 2018, 10:28:34 AM by keyop »

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I've got OCD, but I prefer to call it CDO so it's in alphabetical order.

Let us never forget Rafael Benitez and what he did for us. A fighter full of guts and passion. A gentleman full of class and dignity. A football manager full of intelligence and pure genius. A Legend.Adios Rafa, buena suerte.

No one is getting 'dropped'. We have 2 absolutely massive games in 4 days, followed by the visit of one of our greatest rivals the weekend after. It's not 'dropping' people, it's rotating them so we have a team that competes in every single second of every single game.

Well put! Although I'd play Naby again because he's coming off the back of a MOTM performance as to keep his momentum going. I also think the way Bournemouth play could suit him and to be fair he's not played a lot of football over the last month or so.

With Gini was rested he'll definitely start, but it'll be interesting to see who else starts with him.

I think you have to start Naby, right? I am not sure if he starts against Napoli - the temptation there must be Henderson/Gini/Milner, though it hasn't served us especially well in Europe this season if I remember correctly. Let him build on Wednesday night's performance and allow him to get more minutes in this side - even if it's just 60.

I think there's a lot he can do with the side - including Firmino and Salah upfront and a diamond in midfield with Naby furthest forward. I think if Moerno plays again, the extra protection on that side would be ideal - Milner did a great job of that on Wednesday evening.

If Mane isn't making it then there is always the option of Shaq playing out there or utilising Bobby wide and bringing in Sturridge. Firmino seemed to play wide at times when he came on, on Wednesday.

We have two intense matches in four days then a nice break before United

Would go strong tomorrow but still use squad

Agree. Firmino, Wijnaldum, Fabinho and Salah can start, maybe even Mané, Robertson and Lovren if already recovered. That gives us a really strong spine already with Alisson and VVD. The other two spots will be filled by Hendo/Shaqiri/Sturridge/Origi/Moreno/TAA. Got great options actually.

Agree. Firmino, Wijnaldum, Fabinho and Salah can start, maybe even Mané, Robertson and Lovren if already recovered. That gives us a really strong spine already with Alisson and VVD. The other two spots will be filled by Hendo/Shaqiri/Sturridge/Origi/Moreno/TAA. Got great options actually.

Wijnaldum has played loads of footie, why not just give him tomorrow off with Keita and Fabinho in there, who are fresh? Same with Firmino and Robertson.

Personally from a purely minutes on pitch view as a fan, Robbo, Wijnaldum and Firmino shouldn't be starting.

Wijnaldum has played loads of footie, why not just give him tomorrow off with Keita and Fabinho in there, who are fresh? Same with Firmino and Robertson.

Personally from a purely minutes on pitch view as a fan, Robbo, Wijnaldum and Firmino shouldn't be starting.

Because of rythm. A one week break is perfect to recover any little issues, but longer might break match rythm. The goal needs to be to keep the best players match fit while also giving them enough rest. I think Klopp will want Keita to start against Napoli, because he absolutely needs a driving creative midfielder in this game, so that's my logic for leaving him out now after completing 90 mins midweek.

We should rotate again, albeit keep Moreno and Keita in there. Bournemouth didn't play well against Huddersfield despite winning and they may very well be knackered.

The only concern is that Mane is the only effective option out on the left so it prevents us rotating much.

Practically our only weakness in the squad right now (along with attacking midfielder with AOC injured). No one in the squad seems to be as comfortable there as they are through the centre or on the right. Mane is our only great option, although Firmino's had a couple of good games there (and some not so good).